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Influenza A H1N1 update
30/06/2009
Scotland had 44 new laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) today taking the country's total number of confirmed cases to 1,162.
The latest cases are in:
- Greater Glasgow and Clyde (25)
- Lanarkshire (14)
- Tayside (1)
- Fife (2)
- Forth Valley (1)
- Lothian (1)
Of the latest confirmed cases, five are travel-related while 39 have no connection to travel. There are currently six people with H1N1 being treated in hospital.
Following confirmation that a child at Croft Park Nursery in Airdrie has the H1N1 virus, children and staff that have been in close contact with the child are to be given antiviral medication. The nursery has not been closed.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"The rise in the number of cases of H1N1 in Scotland is something that has always been anticipated and corresponds with the pattern of spread that has been seen in other areas of the UK and other countries.
"The majority of cases of H1N1 so far are in people who are otherwise in good health and it's important to reiterate that in most cases the symptoms are generally mild and those affected recover well.
"Much of the spread we are seeing now is down to community transmission so as we work towards securing vaccine supplies I'd urge everyone to help contain such spread by using simple hygiene safeguards, such as hand washing and the single use and proper disposal of tissues after coughing or sneezing."